Spark Energy Supports Community Outreach Soccer Program

Houston, TX – (March 19, 2012) – Getting ahead can be tough in Houston’s low-income neighborhoods, but the Albion Hurricanes Football Club and Spark Energy have teamed up to break down some of those barriers for the city’s youth.

As part of its mission to Empower What Matters, Spark Energy has signed on to provide the full financial support needed to run the Albion Hurricanes’ Community Outreach Soccer Camp Program which got underway last week with a Spring Break soccer camp for nearly 100 kids.

“We’re really giving these kids tools to help them succeed in life,” said Mark Horton, AHFC Board of Directors and General Manager. “It’s nice to have a hometown company step up to help out, and give children an opportunity to benefit from exposure to the sport which we use as a tool to increase their self-esteem, provide positive role models, and help them build social and life skills while at the same time providing exercise, fun, and a source of pride for the kids.”

The Albion Hurricanes’ soccer camps focus on developing multiple skills in players to help prepare them for the highest levels of competition. The Community Outreach Soccer Camp Program supported by Spark Energy goes one step further by helping underprivileged youth overcome cultural barriers, develop leadership skills and spend out-of-school time in a safe and productive environment. In addition to the Spring Break camp, AHFC and Spark Energy will host two summer camps.

“Spark’s work with the Albion Hurricanes allows us to energize Houston children in a safe and fun learning environment through the Albion Hurricanes’ Community Outreach Soccer Camp Program,” said Phil Tonge, President of Spark Energy. “It’s a perfect fit with Spark Energy’s community focus on supporting children in ways that will enrich their lives and help them reach their full potential. The life-skills developed through organized sport carry over into every aspect of life, and Spark Energy is proud to help the Albion Hurricanes deliver this experience to hundreds of Houston kids this spring and summer.”

Spark Energy especially values that the Albion Hurricanes’ program gives kids a positive outlet for their incredible energy, pointing to the widely-known fact that creating constructive activities for young people to participate in during school breaks and after-school hours tends to improve their academic performance, increase their confidence and reduce their chances of being involved in trouble activities.

The next two summer camps will take place June 11-15 and July 23-27.

About Spark Energy Spark Energy, L.P. is an independent, nationally recognized retail electricity and natural gas provider to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in 17 states. With more than a decade of experience, the company works to consistently deliver competitive energy prices, community support and a superior customer experience. Spark Energy is dedicated to positively impacting the communities it serves by building relationships, inspiring philanthropy, and promoting goodwill both inside the company and throughout the community. For more information, visit sparkenergy.com or join our online community at facebook.com/SparkEnergyTX.

About the Albion Hurricanes The Albion Hurricanes Football Club is a non-profit, full service soccer club formed in 1989. The Club is a nationally recognized competitive youth soccer program serving 4,500 boys and girls in the Houston metropolitan area ages five-18. The organization’s main focus is developing player fundamentals and preparing them to participate in the highest levels of competition. The Club also runs a program to help less privileged young players participate and give them the same opportunities for success that their peers have. Learn more at albionhurricanes.org.